Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago · 2 min. reading time · ~10 ·

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Thursday Thought: I'm So Very Thankful for ...

Thursday Thought: I'm So Very Thankful for ...

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About three years ago, several friends mentioned that blogging was becoming popular on LinkedIn and told me I should consider writing a blog (I hadn’t even known what a blog was!). They nagged me until I finally agreed to try it, but I had no idea what to write about or if anyone would read what I wrote (who would care about American grammar?).

Nevertheless, I finally thought, what the heck. What’s the worst that can happen? No one will read my articles? No one will like my articles? (I hadn’t even thought of someone getting angry at me for anything I would write, but that’s a topic for another day.)

So I started with this article, which I wrote on December 4, 2014, and I bravely sent it out on LinkedIn, which was pretty much the only platform around at that time. 

Did it go viral? Are you kidding? I got maybe five likes. But we have to start somewhere.

Fast-forward to today. I am enormously thankful for all those readers who spurred me on, who liked what I wrote, who commented and shared, and who really made me feel like a legitimate writer.

Thanks to them, this is my 500th article, and it is coming out right before the U.S. Thanksgiving Day, November 23, 2017, which is tomorrow. Talk about timing!
Author in Source Title

And through these last three years, one person really stands out, because he was one of my first connections to read, like, and comment on my posts.

Then he did something remarkable: He invited me to join a small LI group he had formed. It was and still is made up of excellent writers from all genres (mostly business, but not all), with big hearts and a willingness to help each other learn how to navigate in today’s world of publishing online and in print. They taught me how to position my posts, how to use titles to reach an audience, and how to use social media to expand my reach across multiple platforms.

So a huge THANK YOU goes to the group members and to John White, MBA, a true social media expert and even better – a true mensch -- for opening doors I might never otherwise have found or gone through.
Author in Source Title

I look forward to next year, wondering how the publishing platforms will change – which might emerge and which might fade away – and wondering who I’ll have the privilege of meeting around the world thanks to the marvel of the Internet and the ability to reach people in its farthest corners thanks to blogging. 

What are YOU grateful for as 2017 comes to an end? Who helped YOU in your journey to be seen and heard?

As always, if this post helped you, please share it with your connections and share your story in the comments. Commenting is nearly as powerful as creating articles; just ask Deb Helfrich how well it has worked for her!

For more of my articles, visit my website: GrammarGoddess.com

#Thursday #December #November #Source Title #LinkedIn
Comments

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #31

#36
And thank you for that, Lada \ud83c\udfe1 Prkic! I'm always happy to know that something I've posted has helped.

Lada 🏡 Prkic

6 years ago #30

Congrats on the 500th article, Susan! Thank you for all your posts full of tips that help me to improve my writing skills since English is not my mother tongue.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #29

#27
It is amazing to me as well, Gert Scholtz! I had no particular expectations when I started nearly three years ago except to not get blown out of the water or completely ignored. It's been a fun ride so far!

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #28

#28
And thanks, Savvy Raj, for that.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #27

#31
Thanks, Joyce \ud83d\udc1d Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee! No one is more surprised than I was / am!

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #26

#29
, having themes seemed to be for me the only way to make sense of writing. I had to figure out what I wanted to write about, and that helped me realize that I could split my love for American grammar and language into sections / themes that I could help others with. It also helped me offer bite-sized "lessons," which seemed to be only fair to my readers. I am glad the idea seems to work for you as well; let me know how it goes, OK?

Joyce 🐝 Bowen Brand Ambassador @ beBee

6 years ago #25

wow--500 posts! Grats!

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #24

#13
Thank you I find it amazing when someone goes that extra mile to thank the ones around them. It only shows your big heart and how much people value what you say and do. Thank you for all you do.

🐝 Fatima G. Williams

6 years ago #23

#13
Congratulations Susan \ud83d\udc1d Rooks, the Grammar Goddess Awesome, I love reading all your posts and sharing them. I am going to take your tip on having themes for writing. 500 posts is awesome work 😁🥂🍾

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #22

Susan \ud83d\udc1d Rooks, the Grammar Goddess Five hundred posts in three years - that is a huge milestone - congratulations Susan!

Gert Scholtz

6 years ago #21

Susan \ud83d\udc1d Rooks, the Grammar Goddess Five hundred posts in three years - that is huge milestone - congratulations Susan!

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #20

#23
As they always say, Jared \ud83d\udc1d Wiese, one step / article at a time. I had no idea this would happen; if LI hadn't kept track of the numbers, I would not have known. Thanks for commenting and I sure hope you also have a wonderful Thanksgiving!

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #19

#22
And I do much the same thing, Pamela \ud83d\udc1d Williams! I walk with a couple of friends -- four dogs among us -- and we all do that! It's fun and funny -- and my miniature greyhound really gets into it -- her ears go up, she starts prancing -- she wants to RUN and CHASE! So squirrels are my term for distractions . . .

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #18

#5
Thanks so much, @Javier 🐝 beBee! I find it hard to believe myself.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #17

#16
Some weeks, five, Ken Boddie, I established themes for each day of the week to keep myself organized, something I'm not terribly good at naturally. And the other secret is that I'm an old broad, single, living in a 525 s.f. cottage, with two small pups. I don't have to worry about anyone else in my life, except my family and friends. Spare time? I'm on four BODs, I walk 3-4 miles a day with my dogs (weather permitting), and I read a lot. And a nice small glass of vanilla vodka on rocks doesn't hurt . . .

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #16

#17
Wow, Pamela \ud83d\udc1d Williams, that's very generous of you to say! Disciplined? Well, sort of. My secret was establishing themes for each day of the week, even Saturday, and that helped organize my thoughts. I'm famous for being distracted -- oh, look! a squirrel! -- so I figured I'd need some internal guidance. I really do hope I've helped; American English (odd term, no?) is very different from the others, each of them also being different thanks to cultural norms. But honestly, the best part is having so many worldwide connections, and I learn from them every time I read one of their posts / buzzes. It's like getting an educatoin for free!

John Rylance

6 years ago #15

Ken it's not just the postings it's the reading and commenting on the posts of others, and it's more than just like/ agree. Following your theme as they say in the local rugby club " I'll have a pint of what (s)he's drinking" #16

Ken Boddie

6 years ago #14

Congratulations, Susan. 👍 500 posts in 3 years! That’s averaging over 3 per week! I’ve just got to ask. What do you do in your spare time? What are you on? Can I have some? 😳

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #13

#12
And there's always a chance that we'll leave out someone we meant to include, John White, MBA. Of course, he IS the one who invited me . . . but there are so many superstars in that group and in others -- you included -- that it could take an hour to list them all.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #12

#12
And there's always a chance that we'll leave out someone we meant to include, @David B. Grinberg, so I made the difficult decision to just mention John White, MBA. Of course, he IS the one who invited me . . . but there are so many superstars in that group and in others -- you included -- that it could take an hour to list them all.

David B. Grinberg

6 years ago #11

.. continuing from below, I feel compelled single out five more outstanding people who deserve many accolades for their gracious support, positive engagement and valuable feedback: Franci\ud83d\udc1dEugenia Hoffman, beBee Brand Ambassador.

David B. Grinberg

6 years ago #10

Susan, kudos on your 500th article. That’s great news! I wholeheartedly agree with you that John White, MBA is an invaluable asset to so many of us here. I like to call him the "godfather" of beBee USA for introducing countless people to the platform through his tireless promotion and exemplary outreach. Therefore, John deserves special recognition, praise and thanks. The following bees are likewise outstanding individuals whom I believe really exemplify the true spirit and meaning of giving (with no expectation in return): Professor Milos Djukic. Yes, there are many more bees who are worthy of lavish praise, but space is limited, as is the number of bees you can tag in comments. Thus, many thanks to all bees and ambassadors worldwide for ALL YOU DO to keep this platform buzzing!

John Rylance

6 years ago #9

Thanks I appreciate that.#6

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #8

#4
LOL, @Paul "Pablo" Croubalian! I write a lot because early on I established a weekly schedule to follow, Mondays for grammar checkups, Tuesdays for Tricksters, and so on. That helped me think up ideas, and most weeks I posted three or four articles. Oh, and I pretty much always post my Friday Fundays . . . I enjoy them as much if not more than my readers do.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #7

#4
LOL, Paul \! I write a lot because early on I established a weekly schedule to follow, Mondays for grammar checkups, Tuesdays for Twisters, and so on. That helped me think up ideas, and most weeks I post three or four articles. Oh, and I pretty much always post my Friday Fundays . . . I enjoy them as much if not more than my readers do.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #6

#2
And thank YOU, Laurent Boscherini, for the kind words and the wish for a happy holiday weekend.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #5

#5
Thans so much, Javier \ud83d\udc1d beBee! I find it hard to believe myself.

Susan 🐝 Rooks, The Grammar Goddess

6 years ago #4

#1
John Rylance, I am speechless and just so sorry to learn of your son's death. I can't imagine a more horrifying event for any parent. That said, yes. At least it was a peaceful one, and I really do hope that gives you and your family some measure of comfort.

Javier Cámara-Rica 🐝🇪🇸

6 years ago #3

500 articles! Congratulations !

Laurent Boscherini

6 years ago #2

Congratulations Susan \ud83d\udc1d Rooks, the Grammar Goddess and thank you for everything! Being part of your network is a pure gift 🤗 Happy Thanksgiving from South of Europe.

John Rylance

6 years ago #1

Unusually for me the reason to be most grateful was a sad one. That my eldest son had a peaceful, painless death from cancer. The tears of a clown were very much in evidence. Thank you for yours and several others whose posts gave me something to take my mind off his demise.

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